Council again postpones voted on gas and oil drilling on city land

YOUNGSTOWN — Members of city council again postponed a vote today on a proposal permitting the administration to seek offers for companies to drill for gas and oil on city-owned land.

But a majority of its members expect to approve the proposal at the next meeting, Oct. 17.

Councilman Mike Ray, chairman of the public utilities committee, proposed today to change the proposal to permit the administration to seek offers, but not be permitted to enter into a contract without council’s approval.

The administration urged council to reject that provision.

Councilman Paul Drennen, D-5th, agrees with Ray, D-4th, but the five other members of council sided with the administration.

In order for council to approve legislation by emergency measure, the proposal needs the support of at least six of the seven council members.

Without that, legislation can only be approved after readings at three separate meetings and a simple majority vote.